Author Archives: daudupress

Maryam Aminu

Fixing Nigeria is a daunting proposition that will take spirited effort, require heavy lifting, and take some time to accomplish, but it is doable. Fixing Nigeria is possible because every single Nigerian knows that Nigeria is in a sorry state of systemic, structural, socio-political and economic disrepair and every single Nigerian agrees that Nigeria needs fixing. The only thing that has been lacking is a clear and sensible way of going about it. So for every Nigerian who has dreamt of a country that they could truly be proud of and for every Nigerian who has hoped for a bright new day in their beloved homeland where dreams are possible and aspirations are fulfilled, are the most sensible and most realistic solutions to Nigeria’s problems ever proposed.

It is in view of this that the Honourable Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande has urged Nigerian youth to rally together to fix the nation, as the country belongs to them.

Mr. Olawande made this call in Abuja when the leadership of the National Youth Leaders forum of all political parties in Nigeria led by the chairman of the forum ambassador Muhammed Awwal Musa paid him a courtesy visit.

Olawanded revealed that there are plans on the  ground to strengthen the Nigerian youth to ensure that they are equipped to fix the country.

The Honourable Minister lamented that the majority of the youths in the country are not skillful, a situation which according him, has given room for foreigners to take up jobs that Nigerians would have taken in private companies in the country.

He emphasized that it is time to kick start a youth campaign with the theme,  “One Youth, Two Skills.”

“Let’s come out with this campaign that it is unacceptable and an injustice for a youth in this country not to have a skill, and it is going to be a project that everyone must key into.”  He added.

Speaking on his planned programmes for the youths, he disclosed that these will include:  Engagemen with Inspector General of Police to avoid a recurrence of End SARS protest in 2020 which was in reaction to police brutality of the youth, a situation which he noted is still on.

The establishment of Nigeria Youth Academy, where youths will be trained,  engagement with Borno youths, estsblishment of Nigerian Youth radio and television, organisation of Nigerian Youth job fair, engagement with Nigerian youths in diaspora and youth startups  as well as  Nigerian Youth conference where Youths who have made a major impact in their carrier will be given recognition and required to encourage others to emulate them.

Earlier in his remarks,  Amb. Mohammed Awwal Musa, the Chairman National Youth Leaders Forum of all political parties in Nigeria, commended the Minister’s commitments on the progress of Nigerian youths.

He said that the major purpose of their visit was to let the Minister know that the forum had agreed to work with the present government irrespective of  their political differences.

Speaking also, the Chairman, Young Parliamentarian in the House of Representatives Honourable Ishaya David Lalu, appreciated the Minister ‘s open door policy, which, according to him demonstrates that he is ready to work.

He reminded the minister that he can not afford to fail, as uniting the Nigerian youth is one task that must be done

Maryam Aminu

The Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Dr Jamila Bio Ibrahim has taken the decision to engage the National Commission for Persons With Disabilities NCPWD to ensure that the rights of young persons with disabilities are protected.

Dr. Bio-Ibrahim made this disclosure when she paid a courtesy visit on the Executive Secretary of National Commission on People living With Disability, (NCPWD), Mr. James David Lalu.

In a statement by the Head Press and Public Relations Maryam Umar Yusuf, Dr. Bio Ibrahim disclosed that her ministry has proposed some programs for persons living with disabilities within the six geopolitical zones. We also hope to bring more young people to learn about leadership that is required to address challenges of persons living with disabilities,”

She said, “I look forward to working with the commission to ensure that the rights of young people living with disabilities are protected and they live with dignity and earn very good sources of livelihood, then to take as many young people with disabilities off the streets as possible in order to give them a dignified life.

Responding, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Mr. James Lalu, expressed optimism that the commission’s partnership with the ministry would yield positive results.

The Executive Secretary also called on governors to pass the disability law in their respective states.

He said, “I am optimistic that our partnership with the ministry for youth would yield a lot for youths this year. Presently, 21 states have passed the disability law in their respective states. Out of the 21 states, only 7 have started implementation of the law.”

Mr. Lalu appealed to the states that have passed the law to consider and start implementation immediately while calling on those who are yet to key into the programme to do so.

“We are also calling on states yet to do anything to key in and give opportunity to persons with disabilities. We have very smart and intelligent persons with disabilities who have the skills to provide leadership,” he said.

Maryam Aminu

There is a growing recognition of the importance of promoting the active and meaningful participation of young people in policy and decision-making processes. Policy makers and practitioners are increasingly acknowledging youth as key stakeholders and future leaders and decision-makers.

Empowering young people to play an active role in development and policy processes is crucial for National development

By encouraging young people to actively participate in decision-making processes, society can benefit from their energy, creativity, and fresh, diverse perspectives, ultimately leading to more inclusive and effective policies that address the needs and goals of all generations

The Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio-Ibrahim has promised to engage the relevant youth bodies in any decision-making process of the Ministry that concerns them.

The Honourable Minister made this promise at her Federal Secretariat office, Abuja, on Friday 12th January, 2024 when the leadership of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) paid her a courtesy visit.

While addressing the team, Dr Bio-Ibrahim, who lamented that the meeting was long overdue, attributed the delay to her desire to adequately make preparations to attend to their demands.

In a statement by the Head, Press and Public Relations, Maryam Umar Yusuf, Dr. Bio emphasized the preparedness of the Ministry to ensure that its engagement with the youth yields meaningful results.

“The Ministry is very mindful not to sell the message of falsehood to the youth as the trust between government and the young people has long been broken.” She said.

The Honourable Minister also reiterated that the Ministry had made plans to take proactive measures to ensure that trust is built and building that trust must be built on the foundation of sincerity and transparency.

She assured them that she would not betray the confidence that the President reposed on her through her appointment as Minister of Youth.

” Mr President has not made a mistake by appointing me, I assure you that I came prepared, I understand the challenges confronting the youth because I am one of you”. She said.

Dr Bio-Ibrahim stressed the need for the Ministry to be adequately funded as it is currently short of funds.

She explained that the Ministry was in need of extra budgetary funding, adding that she started working in that direction since her assumption of office.

While speaking on the review of the National Youth Policy Committee she said, “The list of its membership is undergoing some adjustments which will include sixty per cent for the youths and forty per cent for the older generation, as the youth can not do it alone“

Speaking on the National Youth Investment Fund, Dr. Bio-Ibrahim said that disbursement has presently been put on hold at her behest so as to study the entire scheme and probably make some input before continuing.

Earlier in his speech, the President, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ambassador. Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo disclosed that the purpose of their visit on the Honourable Minister was to draw her attention to their grievances with the ministry as the apex body of all the youths in Nigeria.

Sukubo noted that despite their mandates as the apex body, the desired recognition has not been accorded to them even though they were the ones who fought for the creation of Youth Ministry which led to the demerger of former Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.

According to the president, the council wants the Ministry to carry them along when drafting the Ministry’s budget, and there should be adequate flow of information between them and the Ministry, as well as getting them fully involved in the implementation of programmes.

In her welcome address, the Director, Network and Social Mobilisation Department of the Ministry, Hajia Amina Daura, recounted the history of the council stating that the National Youth Council of Nigeria is an umbrella body that represents the interest and aspirations of Nigerian youths at both national and international levels.

She further said that it was founded in 1964 as a platform for youth engagement, empowerment, and participation in governance, with core principles of promoting peace, unity and ensuring that the voices of young people are heard in matters affecting them and the nation at large.

Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and Nnamdi Azikiwe University (Unizik) on Friday, 12th January, 2024, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to build a weather station in the university.

Professor Charles Esimone signed on behalf of the Governing Council of Unizik while Professor Charles Anosike signed on behalf of NiMet.

Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, Professor Anosike charged the Management of Unizik to take leadership in downscaling NiMet’s annually issued Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) to farmers and other users in Anambra state and beyond.

“The MoU signed with Unizik to partner in building a weather station in the university is a big achievement for NiMet as the partnership will ensure that farmers and other users receive timely weather and climate information”, Professor Anosike said. He thanked Professor Esimone for the commitment shown in signing the MoU on behalf of Unizik, as it shows the importance the university attaches to weather and climate information.

In his response, Prof Esimone thanked Professor Anosike for the opportunity to collaborate with NiMet. “I am promising NiMet that Unizik will play its part in fulfilling the terms of the MoU which is a landmark accomplishment. Not only our local farmers, but our students, lecturers and researchers will benefit from this relationship especially in the areas of information on climate prediction and climate change”.

“Unizik will match the financial commitments of NiMet to the project by two because weather and climate information is critical to economic development”.

“We will also involve our Centre for Community Development (CCD) with this project so that we can improve on farmer education. NiMet should also consider training relevant Unizik staff to help sustain the terms of the MoU”, he concluded.

Professor Esimone was accompanied by
Professor Ifeanyi Christian Enete of the Department of Geography and Meteorology, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, while Directors of NiMet also witnessed the signing of the MoU.

…congratulates him on the appointments of New Ohinoyi, other monarchs, LGA Chairs, Cabinet Members

The Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuiabu Abubakar Audu, paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello CON, on Friday, 12 January 2024 to brief him on the recent developments in the steel industry and proposed steel investment deals expected to bring about $10 billion into the nation’s economy.

This is also as Prince Audu congratulated the governor on the recent appointments of the New Ohinoyi of Ebira Land, other traditional rulers, local government caretaker chairmen, and state executive cabinet members.

According to a press release sign by Lizzy Okoji, SA Media to the Honourable Minister of Steel Development,
January 12, 2024, Prince Audu also thanked the governor for his support in ensuring that he delivers on the national assignment as Minister to revive the nation’s steel industry in line with the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

Briefing the governor on the updates in the steel industry, Audu told Bello that upon actualization of all the prospective steel deals, billions of dollars of foreign direct investments would come into the nation’s steel industry, which would further create over 500,000 direct and indirect job opportunities for Nigerians including thousands of Kogites.

“I am delighted to brief you on the positive developments in the steel industry that the President Tinubu Administration is keen on reviving in order to open up the nation’s economy and create job opportunities.

“Significant progress has been made in the sector with my engagements with prospective international and local investors who have expressed their interest in investing in the steel industry, as well as private financial institutions who are ready to invest funds in the sector.

“We have had expressions of interest from India’s Jindal Steel Company and China’s Lu’an Steel Group which  are ready to invest billion of dollars in the sector as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President. We will also begin production of military hardwares and production of Iron Rods following President Tinubu’s approval for the resuscitation of the Light Steel Mill section of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant”.

Prince Audu also lauded Bello for ensuring that the right and deserving people were appointed at all helms of affairs, extoling Bello for his wealth of wisdom in successfully governing the state in the past eight years.

“Your Excellency, I congratulate you once again on the appointment of the Ohinoyi of Ebira Land, Alhaji Ahmed Tijani Anaje, and other traditional rulers: the Maigari of Lokoja, Ibrahim Gambo Kabir, the Ohimege-Igu of Koton-Karfe, Saidu Akawo Salisu, and the Maiyaki of Kupa, Dauda Isah.

“I also extol the meticulous selection of the 21 Local Government Caretaker Chairmen and the Members of the State Executive Council, who, as we know, are capable hands,” Audu added.

Gov. Bello commended the Minister for a job well done and delivering on the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to remain focused.

The Governor commended the significant achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR within just eight months, pledging his support to Prince Audu to succeed in his assignment as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“By the grace of God, Ajaokuta will come alive, and the steel industry will boom in the country under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR. He is doing very well. When we met the day before yesterday, we really commended him, and we pointed out so many areas where he has helped us within these seven, eight months. Keep moving, continue to do your work, ignore every form of fake news, remain focused, and avoid every form of distraction. We will continue to support you. Make us proud because Mr. Presindet is sure of us in Kogi State, and we will deliver,” Bello said.